project - EIP-AGRI Operational Group
REDaPORC, digital platform for the comparative evaluation of the antibiotic consumption level in pig farms.
Kontext
The ESVAC (European Surveillance of Veterinary
Antimicrobial Consumption) network, created within the
framework of the European Medicines Agency
(https://www.ema.europa.eu/), collects national sales of
antibiotics for animal production. From these data, a
consumption per productive unit is calculated in mg / PCU.
Spain has always been in the top positions since 2015,
although during the last 3 published years the reduction in
sales in Spain is almost 50% (ESVAC 2018)
The F2F strategy (From Farm to Fork) has established a clear
objective of reducing the use of antibiotics (50% in 10 years).
To achieve this, it is necessary to sensitize the entire
production system, educate all those involved in its use, and
provide precise technical and digital tools to address the
drastic reduction. Regardless of the emergence of chemical
or biological alternatives for the reduction, it is essential to
attack the predisposing factors to the appearance of these
diseases. All these objectives are pursued in REDaPORC.
Objectives
The innovative project aims to accelerate the process of
reducing the use of antibiotics in pig farms in Spain. To
achieve this, on the one hand, we will identify and
characterize the causes that have the greatest incidence in
its use, differentiating between those associated with
biosecurity, handling and comfort of the animals, and those
linked to the presence of certain pathologies. On the other
hand, we will develop a tool to compare the level of
antimicrobial consumption between farms. This information
will allow decision-making, both individual and collective, to
quickly progress towards the objective.
Activities
Identification and characterization of the risk factors for
antibiotic consumption in Spanish white-coat pig farms,
through data obtained from 342 farms. Review of the
antibiotic consumption guide. Development of a platform for
the capture and comparison of information on health risks and
the consumption of antibiotics, between farms and companies
in the pig sector. Creation and checking of the platform.
Sensitization, awareness and training of producers,
veterinarians and technicians.
Project details
- Main funding source
- Rural development 2014-2020 for Operational Groups
- Rural Development Programme
- 2014ES06RDNP001 España - Programa Nacional de Desarrollo Rural
Ort
- Main geographical location
- Tarragona
- Other geographical location
- Burgos, Castellón / Castelló
EUR 385 556.00
Total budget
Total contributions from EAFRD, national co-financing, additional national financing and other financing.
Project keyword
Ressourcen
Audiovisual Material
15 Practice Abstracts
The sixth and final result of dissemination was the dissemination of the PRAN-INTERPORC award.
The call for the award was disseminated among all members of the Operative Group, in addition to the rules of the award being posted on the project website.
The poster announcing the award ceremony, which also contained a programme of the award, was disseminated among all members of the Operative Group, as well as among all INTERPORC member organisations and associations, for dissemination among all its member companies.
In addition to the award ceremony for the winning farms, a summary of the REDaPORC project and its results was made at the event, as well as the presentation of the final video about the project.
INTERPORC invited media to the event, and issued a press release on the award, which resulted in the appearance of 6 news items in sectoral and economic information media.
The fifth result was the dissemination to the general public through the Comparte platform of the Spanish Global Compact Network, of which INTERPORC is a member.
In addition, after the end of the third period of the G.O., in 2023, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the creation of the G.O.s, the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), in collaboration with AgroBank, organized an exhibition to disseminate the projects of the most outstanding supra-autonomous O.G.s between 2014 and 2022. REDaPORC O.G. was chosen among the 14 selected O.G.s. The initiative lasted six months, and was carried out in locations related to these projects such as universities, technological and research centers, cooperatives, etc., in different Spanish cities, which contributed to amplifying the dissemination to the general public of REDaPORC and its results.
The fifth dissemination outcome involved presenting the project at fairs and meetings of livestock farmers and veterinarians. Thus, it was presented at the Alimentaria fair in 2022; at the Va de Agro event, and at the XLI ANAPORC Congress (between the second and third period of activities of the O.G..).
The fourth dissemination result consisted of the creation of promotional material.
As already specified in other sections, the “Complete guide for the use of antibiotics in the pig sector” was updated with the project data, and leaflets and posters were produced with the summary content of the guide. Physical copies of this material were distributed among the project farms, among INTERPORC partners, and were sent to the different Veterinary Colleges and veterinary faculties in Spain.
The reception was so positive that the initially planned print runs were increased.
The online version of this material is available on the project website.
Audiovisual material was also created: four videos made with infographics, including: video 1: environment, facilities, biosafety at work and environmental control; video 2: batch management, animal transport and environmental conditions; Video 3: External biosecurity and internal security video, and video 4: All-in, all-out system, and control of farm densities, and a video highlighting the need to reduce the use of antibiotics on the farm.
Finally, a summary video of the project was created, explaining what it consists of, how the application works and the results obtained. This video was divided into smaller pieces that facilitate its dissemination on social networks.
All this material is available free of charge on the project website, and on the INTERPORC YouTube channel.
The third outcome of dissemination consisted of the holding of training events, consisting of courses for veterinarians and pig farmers.
Thus, an intense awareness-raising and training of producers was carried out on the risks associated with increased consumption of antibiotics and on strategies to mitigate the risks and reduce consumption. This was done through sessions specifically aimed at veterinarians, on the farms participating in the project, which included training on how to complete the surveys. A course was held for veterinarians, in collaboration with the Higher Council of Veterinary Councils of Spain (COLVET), consisting of three online sessions.
And with the creation of a self-managed course for farmers, MOOC type, which was carried out through Agrinews, on the importance of reducing antibiotics, biosecurity, and the REDaporc project, which consists of 5 teaching hours. .
A training webinar was also held specifically for women and young people on the risks associated with increased consumption of antibiotics and on strategies to mitigate risks and reduce consumption. There was also a biannual webinar on the evolution of the project, totalling 4 webinars.
Infographics and videos were also produced on the project, and a final video summarising the project and its results. All this information (recordings of the webinars, promotional material) is available free of charge in the Dissemination section of the project website.
The second dissemination result consisted of the generation of informative content on the GO. To this end, both INTERPORC and ANPROGAPOR updated the status and progress of the project, results and dissemination events on their websites. They also included information on the O.G in their regular newsletters. INTERPORC shared content from the O.G.. through its social networks.
Electronic and paper versions of the available dissemination material were produced: the “Complete Guide for the Responsible Use of Antibiotics in the Pig Sector”, and posters and leaflets on the responsible use of antibiotics in pig production, which summarise the main recommendations of the guide. All this documentation is still available for free download on the website www.redaporc.esOpen link in new window, in the Dissemination section. The paper versions were distributed to the companies participating in the project, to the associations and member entities of INTERPORC, and to the Veterinary Colleges and Veterinary Schools throughout Spain.
In addition, the press releases generated by the G.O. were translated into several news items in sectoral and economic media.
As regards the dissemination results, the overall objective of the dissemination plan was to make the results of the project and its application known to the pig sector, to raise awareness, educate and train, and at a general level to disseminate to society the efforts of the pig sector to obtain greater efficiency in the treatment of pig diseases and its production model, an international benchmark in biosecurity of pig farms. The communication plan had two main axes: internal and external communication.
The first result was the Dissemination of the development of the G.O. to the sector, with periodic information to the INTERPORC member organizations. Thus, INTERPORC informed the bodies in which all INTERPORC organizations are represented (Board of Directors, Executive Committee) and the technical working groups (SGT Sustainability Branch Production and Branch Industry, Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare Committee) of the development of the project. The project description is also included in the activity reports that INTERPORC sends periodically to its partners, and in the INTERPORC Annual Reports. Likewise, ANPROGAPOR, a member of INTERPORC and the G.O., also disseminated the progress of the project among its partners.
Furthermore, all the informative material generated in the G.O (guide, posters, webinars, videos, etc.) is available to the entire sector and general public on the project website.
The last specific result of the project was the PRAN-INTERPORC Award, which was intended to recognise the pig farms that participated in the REDaPORC project and that had made the greatest effort to reduce antibiotic consumption during the project's execution period.
Two categories of awards were given: for piglet production farm and for fattening farm. The REDaPORC Advisory Committee acted as a jury. To ensure the transparency of the votes, all the results of the participating farms were presented anonymously. The award ceremony also served to disseminate the results obtained by the REDaPORC G.O. A video summary of the project was also presented, which also includes the main results and is available on the project website.
The seventh result was the incorporation of up to 400 pig farms into the platform.
In addition to the 350 farms participating in the G.O., in which three biosecurity surveys were carried out per farm, additional farms were incorporated into the app before the end of the project, exceeding the total of 400. In addition, the app is available free of charge to any farm that wants to use it.
The sixth expected result consisted of raising awareness and training 4,000 producers and 300 veterinarians and visitors on the risks associated with increased consumption of antibiotics and on strategies to mitigate risks and reduce consumption.
Thus, training was provided for veterinarians on farms participating in the project, to help them complete the surveys and resolve their queries.
A course was held for veterinarians, in collaboration with the Higher Council of Veterinary Councils of Spain (COLVET), consisting of three online sessions, with the presentations “Reduction in the use of antibiotics in the global health context; “REDUCE Plan: a comprehensive strategy to prevent infections” “The role of the farm veterinarian in reducing the use of antibiotics”, “O.G. REDAPORC. Biosecurity on pig farms”, and “Antimicrobials in animal production. How to face the challenge?”.
Regarding training for producers, a course was created for farmers through the Agrinews platform. The course programme, entitled “REDaPORC: Tool to reduce the use of antibiotics in pigs” is made up of three different blocks: the importance of antibiotics and reasons to reduce their use on farms; biosecurity, essential in animal health and in reducing the use of antibiotics; and the REDaPORC project, which includes a Guide to the responsible use of antibiotics in pigs.
Several webinars, videos and infographics were also held. All the informative material generated in the project (videos, infographics, webinars, guide, posters) is available to veterinarians and producers on the project website.
The fifth result was the provision of a tool to producers and companies, through the web and the App, to support decision-making at farm, company, sector and administration level.
This has been achieved in such a way that the app generates information on individual antibiotic consumption and the comparative evolution of this consumption with that of other similar farms, by production phases, geographical density of farms, level of biosecurity and presence of pathogens.
With all this data, the application allows those responsible for each facility to (1) detect their health risks; (2) improve their efficiency in the use of resources; (3) reduce the use of antibiotics and the cost of treatments; (4) contribute to improving the environment by minimizing emissions per kilo of meat; (5) prevent the generation of resistant bacteria
Thanks to the REDaPORC project we have been able to obtain the description of the biosecurity aspects associated with a higher consumption of antibiotics. In sow farms, the variables that generated the most antibiotic consumption were the proper management of the personnel loading and unloading the animals; the restriction of visits to the farm, the use of detergent soap in cleaning the sheds; and the access of empty transport vehicles.
In the case of fattening farms, the main variables are the origin of the animals' drinking water and others such as the design of the clothing or hygiene in the management of the carcasses.
Finally, the diseases associated with a higher consumption of antibiotics are those generated by the bacteria actinobacillus pleuroneumoniae, and the one generated by the PRSS virus.
The fourth result consisted of a comparative study of the most suitable units for measuring antibiotic consumption (DDA versus mg/PCU, etc.) and a recommendation for Spanish pig production.
To this end, a study of the different units was carried out, the results of which were discussed within the Advisory Committee. Finally, it was concluded that the most suitable unit was mg/PCU, which was the measurement adopted by the platform.
The third result was the provision of a tool, via the web and APP, for farmers to join the project and enter data from farms and companies, complemented by the creation of a platform for the integration of AGE data (SITRAN, PRESVET). The platform is currently operational and is available as an app or through the REDaPORC website.
To develop it, we have identified the most frequent reasons for the use of antibiotics. To do this, we have developed a tool for capturing and comparing information on health risks and the level of antibiotic consumption between farms and companies in the pig sector.
Furthermore, the REGA codes and data from all participating farms on animal capacities or movements have been integrated into the application, through information from the SITRAN database, and through . The database that collects the electronic communication of veterinary prescriptions by livestock farm (PRESVET) has also been integrated. The data from both applications have been provided by the MAPA, guaranteeing confidentiality.
Furthermore, the producer enters into the system the general data on management and production, biosecurity and diseases detected on his farm. All this data is analysed, and in an automated manner, the user receives a report on his antibiotic consumption, and in turn obtains a comparison with the average consumption of other farms in the same category. In addition, personalised reports are produced at the cooperative and integrating company level.
The second result is the compilation of measures to reduce antibiotic consumption in Spanish pig production based on the location of the farm, the phases of production, and the pathologies present, and based on this, the update of the guide to reduce antibiotic consumption in Spanish pig farms.
The guide is available to the sector free of charge on the project website (www.redaporc.esOpen link in new window). It is a practical review of the main recommendations for biosecurity, management and environmental comfort that, when applied appropriately on the farm, will reduce the risk of entry and/or spread of diseases on the farm.
The main recommendations are:
-Biosecurity: Establish maximum biosecurity measures to prevent the entry and spread of diseases within and between farms
-Management: Review the guidelines to verify that the management carried out is appropriate
-Vaccines: the use of vaccines is a highly effective way to prevent diseases.
-Veterinarian: will decide which is the best way to approach the disease and will prescribe antibiotics, if necessary.
-Prescription: follow the instructions of the veterinary prescription, with the specifications that appear in the medication leaflet.
-Diagnosis: Clinical diagnosis must be complemented with bacteriological isolation, antimicrobial sensitivity by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration.
-Alternatives: there are alternatives to the use of antimicrobials with proven efficacy studies.
-Training: Training of all operators in the production chain is an essential element for proper use of antibiotics.
The general objective of REDaPORC is to reduce the use of antibiotics on pig farms and ig companies by developing a digital platform to compare consumption between farms based on health risks and biosecurity.
A technical working group and an external Advisory Committee were created to monitor the project,. Both of them gave their opinion on the partial results of the project before making them final.
The first result of the project consisted of the description of the critical points of the management and biosecurity systems of pig farms, of the pathologies detected and of the alternatives to the use of antibiotics used on farms.
To achieve this objective, a biosecurity survey was designed (with the participation of all members), and 3 surveys were carried out on each of the 350 participating farms. Veterinarians were trained on how to complete the survey, and it was introduced into the app. The questions that make up the survey are also available to the entire sector in the REDaPORC app. A results report was prepared, the conclusions of which were incorporated into the “Complete Guide to the use of antibiotics in the pig sector”.
As a result of this, it is worth highlighting the improvements achieved in terms of biosecurity at REDaPORC farms as a whole, thanks to the three surveys carried out and the training of farmers provided by veterinarians, highlighting improvements in aspects such as clothing design, carcass management, the quality of drinking water and the presence of bio-secure loading and unloading docks.
Contacts
Project coordinator
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Manuel García Lorenzo
Project coordinator
Project partners
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Asociación Nacional de Productores de Ganado Porcino (ANPROGAPOR)
Project partner
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Associació PORCSA-Grup de Sanejament Porcí de Lleida
Project partner
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CINCAPORC S.A.U
Project partner
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SOCIEDAD AGROALIMENTARIA TEJARES HERMANOS CHICO SL
Project partner
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Sociedad Cooperativa Ganadera De Caspe, S.R.L.
Project partner
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Universidad de Lleida (UDL)
Project partner
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VALL COMPANYS S.A.U
Project partner